The Alamo

Authors discussed the Alamo, including the historical events, the significance of the battle, and the myths surrounding it. During the Texas war for independence in 1836, soldiers and volunteers fortified the Alamo, an old Spanish mission in San Antonio, against a vastly superior Mexican force. The defenders, including such well-known figures as Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie, held the Alamo for 13 days but were ultimately slaughtered. Though the battle of the Alamo was a military defeat for the Texans, it inflicted significant casualties on the attackers and occupied the Mexican army while a Texan army of sufficient strength was raised. In addition, “Remember the Alamo!” became a rallying cry for Texan independence. Mr. Harrigan is the author of The Gates of the Alamo, published by Penguin. He also moderated the panel. Mr. Winders is the author of Davy Crockett: The Legend of the Wild Frontier, published by Powerkids Press; and [Crisis in the Southwest: The United States, Mexico, a close